3rd Light Horse Brigade Machine Gun Squadron

3rd Light Horse Brigade Machine Gun Squadron

31 Dec 1917. members of the 3rd Australian Light Horse Machine Gun Squadron in action at Khurbetha-Ibn AWM P03631.087

Dec 1918. The Machine Gun Squadron of the 3rd Australian Light Horse Brigade on parade. AWM B00782

Brief History

Originally established as Machine gun sections in each Regiment of Light Horse, the sections were later amalgamated under Brigade control in much the same way as occurred with Machine Gun Companies amalgamating to form Battalions in the AIF. So each Light Horse Brigade had a Machine Gun Squadron established under Command to best provide fire support, equipped with Vickers medium machine guns.

The soldiers in the Squadron were drawn from the three Regiments of the Brigade and supported the Brigade and its subordinate units throughout the Egypt and Palestine campaigns 1916-18.

The 3rd Light Horse Regiment Machine Gun Squadron was formed in Egypt during July 1916, and was assigned to the 3rd Light Horse Brigade, remaining with them until after hostilities had ceased.

Unit personnel

• George Ezra Bunney 18 Apr 1917 - ?? May 1918
• Edward James (Ted) Rouse 22 Nov 1916 - 24 Apr 1917
• Archibald Roland Bunney 17 Apr 1918 - 3 Dec 1918

Campaigns

Sinai:

• Romani
• Sinai
• Magdhaba
• Rafah

Palestine:

• First Battle of Gaza
• Second Battle of Gaza
• Third Battle of Gaza
• Beersheba
• Jerusalem
• Jericho
• Es Salt
• Megiddo
• Damascus